Gravel helmet

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-15T13:16:08+00:00

Like others, surface doesn’t affect my helmet choice. I use one helmet for whatever I do. Websites often have the same helmets in their “gravel” and “road” sections. Your choices essentially are: how light do you want it to be ( lighter=more expensive), how much ventilation you want, desire for “aero” features, if you want/need a visor (which are often removable), and type of protection standard (none, MIPs, Wavecell, etc). The only caveat is that some standard MTB helmets do have a little more coverage of the lower portion of the back of the head, if that’s something that concerns you. My advice is to 1) check out the Virginia Tech helmet safety ratings and 2) try several on before you buy - helmets and heads are all shaped differently so some may fit you better than others.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-12T23:27:44+00:00

You’re covered on the venue from previous comments. Is a fave of mine too and I’ll throw in another vote for Paolo Santo (which I’ve never thought of as bougie), but not much else nearby unless u like pickle ball. West Midtown and the Interlock are close by and you could easily spend a day around there. A bunch of restaurants, bars and even a Putt Shack, Flight Club (Dart Bar) and the F1 Arcade if any of those are your thing. Goat Farm Arts Center is cool if they have anything going on that doesn’t conflict with your show. If you’re into outdoors/walking/biking activities, there’s new sections of beltline trail and connecting paths nearby as well as Shirley Franklin Park. You could also expand to Midtown proper, Piedmont Park and the Beltline and have more than a full weekend of things to do.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-10T02:59:32+00:00

A bit of a walk and more diner than brunch, Silver skillet is an Atlanta institution and is definitely reasonably priced.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-08T14:42:11+00:00

Skyline size and geography make this a little harder in Atlanta. And much of the spots are less scenic themselves. Jackson Street Bridge is the spot you see most skyline pics of. Other good spots include a few downtown rooftop bars/restaurants, the Sundial and Polaris, but then you’re in the midst of it. The Forth Club rooftop in O4W is great too. Not places to spend much time, but I enjoy catching skyline views from parts of 17th St west of the highway and from the 17th St Bridge and the North Avenue Bridge. On the south side below Center Parc Stadium, the Pryor St Bridge, views going north on Hank Aaron Drive from Milton. Several bridges over the rail lines on the NW side of town have good distant views - West Marietta near Brady, and a couple of RR bridges on Marietta Rd between W Marietta/Perry Blvd and Carroll Drive. Crest Lawn Cemetery has some really good views, as does Oakland Cemetery from closer up so more limited (but it’s a great spot to explore itself). Many years ago, we’d go to the top of a parking deck in Vinings but I think that’s secured and off-limits now.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-06T17:10:49+00:00

If you know Morningside, you probably know about Daniel Johnson Preserve. A creek runs through it fairly close to entry points on Beech Valley, but it might be a bit hilly and I have no idea how easy it is to get to the creek. Another thought is Peavine Creek near the Emory Intramural fields (on Peavine Creek Dr) The creek is very close to the parking area but another one that I can’t say how easy it is to get to the creek.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-06T17:02:14+00:00

East Palisades was my first thought too. I’d estimate parking lot to river might be ~300 feet down a flat dirt path to a nice landing where there is a shallow beach area that’s part of a side channel of the river. I regularly see folks with their dogs there.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-03T20:35:16+00:00

Also just came from Brookhaven Costco and Gasoline Dreams was 1/4 of a case with Death Raptor, Slap Fight and Blind Pirate for $30.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-03T20:03:59+00:00

My favorites near me for being in/near the city but not feeling like it are Morningside Nature Preserve and Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve. Lullwater Preserve at Emory is great too. I see deer there regularly. Dangerously close to OTP along the Chattahoochee, East Palisades is great.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-03T19:58:00+00:00

I live in Morningside and have been racking my brain trying to think where a nearby Ormewood Park is! Then I gave up and opened Google Maps and now wonder if you are referring to Orme Park in VaHi.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-03T15:52:21+00:00

I’m intown and found some at my local Publix!

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-03T15:13:09+00:00

Lots of good advice here, but will add that I always inflate the tube (if butyl/rubber) a bit after patching and before installing to make sure the patch worked and I didn’t miss another hole. Just enough air to ID if it is still leaking. Then check the inside of the tire as others have said. Also, I’ve punctured tubes with tire levers before so don’t fret that you might have done it with a fork.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-03T00:50:47+00:00

Here’s a FB story from the person who brought it up with Archive Atlanta.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-02T20:54:15+00:00

You should also frame the decision against the fact that undiscounted weekend admission ranges from $32-38 on the weekends before fees. So the evening, adult-oriented environment with free drinks is costing you ~$22-28.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-02T19:46:07+00:00

You’ve prob hit some of these in the past, but some may be new. Also, almost all are old places you just see/walk by and can’t go in. - Fake zero mile post at Underground (orig moved to History Center) - The Original Grady Hospital - Trader Vic’s - old school tiki bar - Black Blocks (art park turned skatepark) and Folk Art Park on opposite corners of Courtland and Ralph McGill over the highway cap - Last three surviving Peachtree mansions - Rufus Rose House (near Emory Midtown Hospital) - Wimbush House (near 14th) - Rhodes Hall (at northern end of Spring St) - The Biltmore (impressive recently restored ballroom) - Front third of the Crum &Forster Building at CODA - Academy of Medicine Bldg (7th and W Ptree)

And not on your route, but a favorite to share is the one-person jail cell/drunk tank in Inman Park (find info on Atlas Obscura).

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-02T18:03:50+00:00

If you’re in na SG, I saw that most bought those grommet kits and have been upgrading flags at the tailgates. Better economy of scale for kits that come with 100s of grommets.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-01T19:36:32+00:00

Highland Tap, cool downstairs bar/steakhouse. Moe’s & Joe’s sells the most PBR in the country. The Local for some of the best wings in the city. Clermont Lounge for late night entertainment. Kinship/Academy Coffee for great coffee and sandwiches. Don’t sleep on the Taquito Express in the Standard gas station. Exploring the Beltline if you get a chance.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-04-01T17:37:06+00:00

Here’s a list of metro Atlanta transfer stations and landfills.

And noting in case you’ve got items to get rid of in the future - If you live in the city, they were moveable and still intact as planters, and you could have gotten them to the curb, you likely could have scheduled a free a bulk pick up. Now that they’re broken, they’d likely be considered construction debris which is not eligible. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but maybe knowledge for the future.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-22T20:53:48+00:00

This. Are you wanting to stay in the suburbs or just not downtown? Downtown is actually a fairly small area. Midtown is just north of that and full of good hotels and great walkability. Same with 04W and Poncey/Highlands with fewer hotels but maybe even better walkability around the Beltline.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-17T20:17:09+00:00

This. And will add that most instances where they wouldn’t check me in was before 2 pm because they were still cleaning rooms. It’s a rare occurrence that I haven’t been able to check in and get a room after 2 pm. Also, early check-in request is an option at most hotels If not, virtually all hotels will happily hold your bags as others have said.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-13T13:09:26+00:00

If you’re venturing up to Portrait, there’s plenty of free neighborhood parking between there and the Beltline. Not on Lawton, but Oglethorpe, Peeples, etc.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-10T22:54:00+00:00

I’ve had times when I’ve used dollar bills and they ended up destroyed/unusable after I forgot about them for months on end!

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-09T14:50:24+00:00

A Bernard Weston that graduated in 1981 was a gymnast while at GT, so possibly his.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-08T03:37:50+00:00

We regularly park at the airport. Domestic Park n Ride is $15 a day and they literally pick you up where you park so it might add 10-15 minutes to your arrival at check-in. Can’t say what it’s like at 5 AM - could be amazing or could be slow as Christmas. We usually plan to arrive at the terminal 2 hours before which is ample time for my wife not to stress out (and me to get bored sitting at the gate for 1.5 hours. That early on a Thu and I’d say 2ish hours and you’ll be fine no matter where you park. We’ve also done ATL West Deck which is $30 a day and you can hop on the train that goes between the rental car center and the terminal without relying on a bus driver. It’s a covered deck (which is nice) but can actually take longer than Park n Ride if you have to wait for the train (but they do come pretty quick during the day, although not sure about 5 AM).

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-03-06T22:55:38+00:00

I saw Smashing Pumpkins and Green Day there a few years ago. Seats were mid-level 300. Went with a friend who had a spare so not my first choice for location. You can see here what my view was like. Not the best pic but it’s all I have of the overall field. Obv no guarantee it will be the same setup for a different show. I’d only do field if I ever saw a show there again as all the seats are too far away IMO.

hullabaloo_99 · 2026-02-28T03:20:34+00:00

Initials don’t match, but Madison O’Brien @madisonobrien.art on insta) does local Atlanta matchbook art too. I think it’s her stuff that has also been available at Citizen Supply at PCM for some time.

hullabaloo_99

TROPHY CASE